Evaluating Drought Mitigation Measures for Wetland Management with DEMATEL: A Case Study Report of the Koviljsko–Petrovaradinski Rit Wetland in Serbia

Wetlands are among the most valuable yet endangered ecosystems, particularly due to increasingly frequent and intense droughts. To mitigate drought risks, various human-made measures can be applied, with some being causally linked and differing in effectiveness. This study employs the DEMATEL (Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory) model to assess and visualize the causal relationships and importance of drought mitigation measures, as evaluated by a multidisciplinary group of experts, focusing on a wetland in Serbia’s Special Nature Reserve ‘Koviljsko–Petrovaradinski Rit’ (Danube floodplain). Twelve experts assessed seven measures: floodplain restoration, habitat improvement, invasive species control, policy changes, environmental education and awareness campaigns, streamlined decision-making and nature-based solutions. Results indicate that environmental education and awareness campaigns and streamlined decision-making are the most influential, while policy changes and nature-based solutions are key drivers of change, suggesting that these four should be prioritized in drought risk management strategies. This study advocates for the DEMATEL-based approach as a structured methodology for evaluating wetland risk management frameworks, emphasizing causality and stakeholder input.